The big question facing the Thunder: Will they be able to afford all three of their young guards? (Kevin) Durant entered this season with five years and $89 million left on his contract. (Russell) Westbrook signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension in January. Â So will they be able to pay Harden the money he may demand? Â He certainly deserves it, read more after the jump.
(James) Harden will make $5.8 million next season, and the Thunder can offer a contract extension once free agency begins July 1. Thunder starting forward Serge Ibaka also is eligible for an extension this summer.
If Harden and Ibaka don’t sign extensions, they will become restricted free agents at the end of next season. One NBA assistant general manager told Yahoo! Sports that Harden could command $10 million per season on the open market. (Sam) Presti said the franchise will try to sign both Harden and Ibaka this offseason.
“We’re looking forward to having those conversations,†Presti said. “Those guys are guys we drafted and have developed internally. We see them as guys who are important to sustaining our team.â€
